Full Course - Day

The Full Course (Day) runs for 21 weeks over 6 months duration.

Tuition time is one day per week from 10am till 5pm. Approximately 15 hours of homework (depending on the kiltmaking stage being undertaken) is a necessity throughout the 21 weeks to keep pace with the course.

Class sizes are also limited to ensure student/tutor time.

The course comprises of 8 units with set criteria which must to be covered to ensure that the course standards are kept to the level required.

Assessments of the work undertaken feature throughout the course and evidence is essential, in the form of Q & A sheets, photos, observation reports and kilt “diaries”. The student is at the centre of the assessment process and is responsible for ensuring they collect and present evidence for each assessment.

The cost of the course is capped at £1200. Payment instalments can be agreed if required

Edinburgh Kiltmakers Academy provides the cloth for the initial 6 kilts. The finished kilts remain the property of the Academy.

Students may purchase any of the kilts they make, those not purchased may be used within GNK Hire dept. or advertised for sale as student made kilts within GNK Sales.

If towards the end of the course the student is both confident and capable and wishes to make kilts for family or friends, then they can purchase cloth to make kilts specifically for them. We do this to ensure our students take away quality kilts that show off the skills they have learned.

Kiltmaking Course Criteria

The course runs on one day per week over a 6-month period, totalling 21 teaching days. Student’s holiday weeks (4 in total) are taken in agreement with the course leader but the first 8 weeks must be attended. Please note: the academy closes over Christmas/New year so courses running over the festive period will have 2 compulsory holiday weeks.

Two separate courses will run simultaneously. Dates and days may be subject to change at EKA’s discretion.

To achieve the EKA qualification, you must prove competence in all 8Units as detailed below:

Unit

Title

1

Health, Safety and Security within the Academy

2

Work area Housekeeping

3

Maintain the quality of production materials in the kilt making process

4

Prepare, measure, mark out and cut materials for the kilt making process

5

Select, prepare and cut materials for trimmings in the kilt making process

6

Carry out the hand sewing processes in kilt making

7

Carry out pressing in the kilt making process

8

Measure, fit and make alterations to the kilt in the bespoke kilt making process

You must complete a minimum of 6 kilts of differing weights and tartans including:

1 x 5 yrd Childs kilt, knife pleated

1 x 6 yrd Ladies kilt, knife pleated

1 x 9 yrd Men’s Military box pleated kilt

3 x 8/9 yrd Men’s kilts, knife pleated

At least one must be heavyweight cloth, the majority will be medium weight.

Two must be pleated to the stripe, the majority will be pleated to the sett.

At least one must be pleated to the sett using a non-matching tartan.

At least one must be pleated using plain cloth.

Please note: in order to complete the course within the timeframe you must be able to commit to approximately 15hrs of sewing at home during the week. This may be less or more depending on the kiltmaking stage you are at.

Terms and Conditions:

Course Duration: one 7-hour day per week over a 6-month period. This covers 21 workroom days.

Exact days and term dates as advertised on social media. These may be altered at EKA’s discretion or cancelled at short notice should minimum participant numbers not be met.

Rescheduling of days missed due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. illness) may be possible and arranged in consultation with course tutor.

Students are expected to commit approx. 15 hours per week sewing at home, this will vary depending on the homework set.

Course fees: £1200, payable in instalments if required.

Should participants not complete the course within the agreed timescales a fee of £60 per additional workroom day will be applied.

EKA Materials supplied:

Kilt cloth

Canvas

Stabilising ribbon

Lining

Straps & buckles per kilt undertaken

1 x cone black core spun thread

1 x spool white tacking/basting thread

Student brings:

Dressmaking scissors

Thread scissors

Ruler

Dressmaking pins

Sewing needles (sizes tbc)

Thimble

Measuring tape

Calculator

Notebook and pen.

Practical Kiltmaking Evidence: During the course students are expected to complete at least 6 kilts, to retail quality, as follows;

1 x child’s Kilt 5-yard

1 x Lady’s Kilt 6-yard

1 x gent’s military box pleated kilt 9-yard

3 x gent’s 8 or 9-yard kilts

All kilts must be completed in different tartans (including one using a plain dyed cloth), two will be pleated to the stripe, 3 will be pleated to the sett, one of which will be in an A-symmetrical tartan and one in a plain cloth. Differing weights of cloth must be used. All practical evidence produced is the property of EKA unless purchased by the student under the conditions stated*. Practical evidence will be assessed by the course tutor and verified by Gordon Nicolson of Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers.

Written work must be completed covering subjects including: Health and Safety in the workroom, how to look after the materials and equipment used in the kiltmaking process as well as the construction detail, in the form of questionnaires. A personal diary of the students kiltmaking process must be produced for each kilt made.

*Students who wish to make a kilt for a family member or friend are advised to do so towards the end of their learning journey. The cloth and other materials used must be purchased by the student and will be charged at cost price. They may make the kilt as part of the course, to be assessed and verified as above or may be made after completion of the course with course tutor supervision.